The European Commission on Thursday updated its rules on the validity of EU Digital COVID Certificates for a period of 9 months since the primary vaccination series.

The commission on Thursday presented draft recommendations for safe and free movement in the EU which should take effect as of 10 January next year.

The Commission urges all member states to immediately take all necessary steps to ensure access to vaccination for those population groups whose previously issued vaccination certificates approach the 9-month limit.

As of yet, there are no studies expressly addressing the effectiveness of boosters on the transmission of COVID-19 and therefore it is not possible to determine an acceptance period for boosters.

“However, given the emerging data it can be expected that protection from booster vaccinations may last longer than that resulting from the primary vaccination series,” the EC said in a press release and added that it will closely monitor newly emerging scientific evidence on this issue. On the basis of such evidence, the Commission may, if needed, propose an appropriate acceptance period also for vaccination certificates issued following a booster.

A person who has a valid EU Digital COVID Certificate should in principle not be subject to additional restrictions, such as tests or quarantine, regardless of their place of departure in the EU. Persons without an EU Digital COVID Certificate could be required to undergo a test carried out prior to or after arrival.

The Commission also recommended changes in traffic light map mapping risk areas in Europe which basically serves as an informative guide but can serve to coordinate measures. Marking risk areas with certain colours should combine new cases with a region’s vaccine uptake.

For travellers from ‘green’ areas, no restrictions should be applied. Travel to and from ‘dark red’ areas should be discouraged, given the high number of new infections there, and persons who are neither vaccinated nor have recovered from the virus should be required to undergo a pre-departure test and quarantine after arrival.

Exemptions from certain travel measures should apply for cross-border commuters, children under 12 and essential travellers.